Rotary ice scoring machine



June 30, 1931'. F. c. WESTMAN ROTARY ICE SCORING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ,gwmmgL ATTORNEY.

June 30, 1931. c, w s 1,812,731

ROTARY ICE SCORING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 20, 1928 4 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR 41% C. Wain-M BY a9f3mwyu ATTO NEY June 30, 1931. F. c. WESTMAN ROTARY ICE SCORING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Ska/w c. mm a9. gm f HTTORNE! June 30, 1931. F. c. WESTMAN ROTARY ICE1 SCORING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR M ven ATTORNEY Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcs ROTARY ICE SCORING MACHINE- Application filed February 20, 1928; Serial No..255,769.. Renewed December 4, 1930;

"This invention relates to a rotary ice scoring machine as described in the present specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form part of the same. I

The invention consists essentially of the novel features pointed out broadly and specifically in the claims for novelty following' a description containing an explanation in detail of an acceptable form of the invention.

The objects of the invention are to score a cake of ice on four faces, and if required, to score the cake longitudinally on two side faces and transversely of said first score; to score the cake longitudinally and transversely as above described without changing its rectilinear path of travel; to score the cake longitudinally along its medial line without raising the tapered end of the cake; to effectively dispose of all ice dust resulting from scoring; to score a cake to a greater depth along the middle side; to provide a machine in which the feeding mechanism may be placed overhead or at either side to avoid the necessity of cutting into the floor or raising the ice block materially from the floor level to enter the machine; to provide a machine in which the number or position of scoring elements may be readily changed when desired; to build an ice scoring machine safe in operation, having all parts accessible and replaceable and requiring a minimum of floor and head space; to reduce the labour and power required in operation; and generally, to provide an ice scoring machine capable of accomplishing the aforesaid purposes.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the device complete.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section View taken online 33 in Figure 2.

Figure 4 isa section view taken on line 44 in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section View of the ice conveyor or feeding means.

Figure 6 is a section View taken on line 6-6 in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a sect-ion view taken on line Figure 9 is a fragmentary perspective 5 View of part of the feeding means.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary'side elevation of a modified for-m of mounting for the scoring elements.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified form of the ice block constraining means.

Figure 12 is a section view taken on line 12-12 in Figure'll.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary section view taken on line 13-13 in Figure 1.

Figure 14 is a section view taken on line 1414 in Figure 13.

Figure 15 is a. fragmentary section View showing the mounting for the member carrying the longitudinal scoring element.

Figure 16 is a section view taken on line 16l6 in Figure 2.

Figure 17' is a side elevation of a typical block of artificial ice showing the scoring lines.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.

Referring to the drawings 10 is the machine complete resting on the I-beams or channels 11. 12 is the place from which the ice to be scored is slid or forced onto the feeding mechanism 13. The feeding mechanism consists of a floor plate 14 and an angle iron 15 at either side resting on the 9 cross supports 16 and forming a slideway along which the block of ice travels and is carried; this may be formed in one piece of a channel. An endless sprocket chain 17 traverses longitudinally the floor 14 and is supported thereon, the return portion of said chain being suspended under said floor. A sprocket driving gear 18 is engaged and partially encircled by said chain and propels same. The chain 17 is suspended to the other end of the floor 14 over the idler 19 rotatably mounted on the shaft 19A suitably secured to or journalled in the frame. A sprocket driving gear 18 is sized so that I the time required for one complete travel of the chain is equal to twice the time required for a complete transverse scoring, or in other words, for one complete revolution. The driving sprocket 18 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 20 suitably journalled in the frame at 21 and 21A.

22 is a worm gear ri idly mounted on the shaft 20 and 23 is a driving worm gear meshing with the gear 22 and rigidly mounted on the shaft 24 journalled as at 26 and 26A. 25 is a pulley rigidly mounted on the shaft 24, and 27 is a pulley rigidly mounted on the drive shaft 28 and drivin the pulley 25 by the belt 29. 30 is a motor or other source of power driving the shaft 28 which is suitably journalled as at 31.

Pivotally mounted on one of the links 17 A in the chain 17 is an angle 32. 33 is a pin on which the angle 32 is pivotally mounted and extends through the chain as shown, serving as a connecting or locking pin inthe chain. The angle 32 is cut out as at 34 to allow it to partially rotate about the pin 33 without interfering with the chain 17. The extended portions 35 of the angle 32 rest on the floor plate 14 tending to force the other part of the angle to assume a position normal to the portion of the chain adjacent said angle.

A ring 37 is provided, having a raised por tion 38 on its outer periphery and teeth 39 cut in said raised portion. On either side of the raised portion 38, a shoulder portion 40 is formed. Rollers 41 journalled as at 42 and 42A in the frame 43 engage with said shoulder 40 and support the ring 37 43A is an extension formed on the frame 43 and carrying at its upper extremity a pair of rollers 433, said rollers bearing on either side of the raised portion 38 and constraining the ring in an upright position. A pair of rollers 43C are mounted on the frame 43 diametrically opposite the rollers 43B and similarly bearing on the raised portion 38 and serving the same purpose as the rollers 4313. It will be noted that said rollers 43B and 43C will have their axis in a horizontal plane through or near the central axis of the ring 37 Another ring 44 is rotatably mounted in the ring 37 having its outer periphery corresponding to the inner periphery of the ring 37 forming a loose fit therewith. The ring 44 has an extended portion 45 at one side tending to constrain the ring 37 in that direction. On the opposite side of the ring 44 a plate 46 is suitably bolted or secured and extends partially over the ring 37 thus effect-ively constraining the ring 37 and the ring 44 relative to each other. On the inner periphery of the ring 37 and parallel to its central axis, semi-circular grooves 47 are out at regular intervals.

A pin 48 is journalled in the ring 44 and the plate 46 and extends therethrough and is relieved as at 49 to form a semi-circular cross section as at 49A. The diameters of the pin 48 and the semi-circular grooves 47 are the same. When the pin 48 is partially rotated, part of the semicircular portion of the pin 48 will engage in one of the grooves 47, thus locking the ring 44 and the ring 37. An arm 50 is rigidly mounted on the pin 48 and extends outwardly from the central axis of the ring 44. The pin 48 has a shoulder 48A formed on the end opposite the arm 50 to prevent any end play by said pin. The pin is so mounted that when the flat side of the part 50 is presented towards the ring 37, said ring may rotate about the ring 44. When the pin 48 is partially rotated, part of the semi-circular portion of the pin Will engage in one of the grooves 47, thus locking the ring 44 and the ring 47. Pins 51 and 52 are formed on or attached to the ring 44 at either side of the arm 50 so as to constrain the angular motion of the pin 48. A spring 52A is suitably attached to the arm 50 and the pin 52 to tend to force the arm 51 to rotate the pin 48 in an anti-clockwise direction. A bevelled gear 55 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 20 and meshes with the bevelled gear 56 rigidly mounted on the shaft 57 journalled as at 42. The roller 41 may be rotatably mounted on said shaft 57. 58 is a gear rigidly mounted on the shaft 57 and meshing with the gear teeth 39, thereby causing the ring 37 to rotate.

60 is an arm pivoted at 61 in the frame 43 and having the weight 62 at one end. The arm 60 is so mounted that the end opposite the Weight 62 will be in the path of the arm 50 when the ring 44 rotates with the ring 37. It will be seen that When the end of the arm 60 comes in contact with the arm 50, said arm will be forced to rotate with the pin 48 about its longitudinal axis. This will remove the part 49A of the pin 48 from the semi-circular groove 47 and de-clutch the ring 44 from the ring 37. A rectangular opening 69 is formed in the ring 44, the shape of said opening conforming to the cross section of the block of ice to be scored and having. sufiicient clearance to allow said block to be readily forced through said opening." Flanges 69A are formed on either side of the opening 69 to guide the block into said opening. A plate 7 O rests on the lower side of said opening and supports the ice as it is being inserted. 71 is a camway formed on the plate 46, the shape generally conforming to the cross section shape of the block of ice but depressed in the middle of either side. On the upper portion of this camway an enlarged part 72 is formed having a lift equal to or slightly greater than the depth of out or score. The camway 71 may be slightly relieved on either of the side faces, thus allowing the scoring element to make a deeper out towards the central portion of the side faces. 7

73 is a hollow cylindricallyshaped portion made up of some suitable plate metal and being supported on the frame 13 and having the opening 74 along the upper portion and extending throughout its length,

through which the scoring elements may pass. 75 are openings cut in said cylinder through which the ice dust may be expolled. The purpose of the cylinders 73 is to partially support and constrain the block of ice While the scoring operation is taking place and While said block is being pro jec'ted into or ejected from the machine.

Ribs 7 3A conforming in shape to said cylinder may be used instead of the cylinder made up of plate metalfi 76 is an L-shaped arm pivoted at one end as at 77; on the op- 20 posite end of said arm the arbor 79 is joura sawing elements.

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nalled. The scoring elements or saws 78 are mounted at regular intervals along the arbor 79. A counter Weight 76A is attached to each arm 78 to overcome the weight of the It Will be noted that a separate arm 76 similarly mounted as at 77 and similarly constructed, is necessary at' either end of the arbor. Drive pulleys are mounted on the drive shaft 28 and rotate the scoring elements by means of the belt 81 and the driven pulleys 82 mounted on the arbor 79. The mounting of the arm 76 is best shown in Figure 1.

In Figure 10 is shown a method whereby each scoring element 78 is mounted-on an individual shaft 79A ournalled in an individual arm 76. In this system of mounting there will be a separate rocker arm 89 for each arm 7 6 and a separate driving pulley 80 With a belt 81 drivin a pulley 82mount'ed on each shaft 79. There Will also be a separate Weight 76A mounted on each arm 76.

83 is a detachable extension secured to the frame 13 and through which the drive shaft 28 is journalled. On one side of the member 83 a circular shoulder is formed as at 83A and the arm 76 is pivotally' mounted on said shoulder. A circular plate 8 1 having a greater diameter than the extended portion 83A is suitably secured to said portion by cap screws or bolts and serves to constrain the arm 76 onto its mounting. A rocker arm .85 is rigidly mounted on the shaft 86 journalled as at 87. On the opposite end of said rocker arm a roller 88 is rotatably mounted and at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said rocker arm, said roller bein so mounted as to engage with the cam 71. A second rocker arm 89 rigidly mounted on the shaft 86 and having the roller 90 mounted as at 90A so as to engage the lower face of the arm 76, serves to impart to said arm 76, the same, or practically the same angular motion as is Longitudinal scoringelements are.

mounted at'the end of the feeding mechanism adjacent the rotating means, said elements 95 being so mounted that they will have completed the longitudinal score before the transverse scoring action takes place, that is before the ice block is completely placed into the ice block rotating means. The scoring elements 95 are slightly inclined so that the score Will follow along the medial line of the ice block. The elements 95 are slidably and non-rotatably mounted on the shafts 96 and 96A, said shafts being journalled in the members 97 and 97A, respectively. The members '97 and 97A are rigidly connected by the portion 97B and are mounted on the lugs 98 and 99 formed on the frame 43. Said members 97 and 97 A maybe tilted sligntly by inserting the Wedge 100 between the lugs 99 and said members, as best shown in Figure 15.

A drive pulley 101 rigidly mounted on the shaft 24, is connected to a driven pulley 102 rigidly mounted on the shaft 96 by the belt 103 and drives the scoring elements 95 and 95A. Pulleys 104 and 104A are rigidly mounted at the upper ends of the shafts 96and 96A. A belt 105 connects said pulleyAs and is so mounted as to drive the shaft 96 Yoke guides 106 and 106A are rotatably mounted on the scoring elements 95 and 95A, respectively, as at 107. The yoke guides fall in the longitudinal score made by the scoring elements 95 and 95A and remain in the score until the longitudinal scoring action is completed and a short time thereafter,

for the purpose of keeping the score in a straight line until it is completed and to preing elements to their extreme upper position after the longitudinal scoring action has been completed.

Splines 111 are cut on either shaft 96 or 96A and engage With the mounting or hub of the scoring elements 95 and 95A and prevent rotation of said elements about either of said shafts 96 and 96A. 112 is the ice block after the scoring has been completed. 113 is the longitudinal score along the medial line of said block and 114 are r...

transverse scores made on the four side faces of said block. The block 112 is made to taper slightly from the end 112A to the end 11213, the practice commonly used in the art of making artificial ice blocks.

It will be noted that as the scoring elements 95 and 95A may be inclined slightly from the horizontal by the adjusting wedge 100 acting to tilt the shafts 96 and 96A, said elements 95 and 95A may be adjusted so that they will lie in a plane parallel with the medial line of the block of ice 112 when same is placed on the feeding mechanism 13. The collars 109 and 110 may be moved on the shaft 96 to carry the scoring element 95 to the proper starting position where it will commence scoring along the medial line of the block 112. Similiarly by moving the collars 109A and 110A on the shaft 96A, the scoring element 95A may be similarly adjusted. When said elements are so adjusted, the block 112 may be carried by the feed ing chain 17 towards the opening 69. The elements 95 and 95A commence scoring along an inclined plane coinciding with the medial line of the block. As the scoring progresses, the guides 106 and 106A take a position in the scores formed by the elements 95 and 95A respectively, and the springs 108 are compressed as the elements 95 and 95A are brought to a position more adjacent the side of the block 112 according to their inclination to the horizontal, or in other words, the taper of said block 112. The guide yokes 106 and 106A tend to retain the elements 95 and 95A, respectively, in the position in which they complete the score line until said blocks have moved out of engagement with said guides 106 and 106A. This prevents the elements 95 and 95A from being carried back to their initial position by the action of the springs 108, until the block 112 has completely cleared said scoring elements, thus preventing damage to the end of the block.

In the operation of this invention the ice block is placed on the feeding mechanism 13 and is conveyed along said mechanism by the angle 13 mounted on the chain 17 coming in contact with the end face of said block. The block is placed on the feeding mechanism so that the tapered end is fed into the machine last. As the block is forced along the slideway, the two longitudinal scoring elements 95 and 95A score along its side faces and in the medial line thereof. The saws or scoring elements 95A are tilted slightly so that when the cut is finished at the tapered end, it will be in the middle of said faces. When the block is fed, a sufiicient distance into the rotating mechanism, the angle 32 on the chain 17 comes in contact with the arm and forces said arm out of contact with the arm 50. The pin 48 revolves slightly and effectively clutches the ring 44 to the ring 47. The ring 44 will now rotate with the ring 37 and the sides of the openings 69 will engage with the ice block and rotate it along said ring 44. The rocker arm 85 having the cam 88 oscillates as the camway 71 rotates with the ing 44. The arms 76 bearing the scoring element 78 will engage with the ice block and score it transversely as it is being rotated. hen one revolution is completed, the arm 85 will be raised by the raised portion 72 on the camway 71 and the scoring elements 78 will be disengaged from said ice block and the transverse scoring will then be complete.

The arm 50 now comes in contact with the arm 60 and the ring 44 is de-clutched from the ring 37 as described above. The incoming ice block to be scored abuts against the block that is already scored and forces said block out of the machine, and the action is repeated on the next block of ice.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In an ice scoring machine, rotatory means operating to receive a cake of ice and rotate same about an axis, and scoring means positioned at right angles to said axis lowering to score the cake and rising to clear the cake after scoring.

2. In an ice scoring machine, means operating to receive a cake of ice lengthwise and rotate same around its longitudinal axis, and scoring means positioned at right angles to said axis lowering to score the cake and rising to clear said cake after scoring.

3. In an ice scoring machine, a feed member, a revolving ice receptacle receiving the block of ice, a cutter member engaging the ice during each revolution of said receptacle,

means for rotating said receptacle, and means for automatically declutching said receptacle prior to each revolution.

4. In an ice scoring machine, a conveyer forming a declutching member, a revolving ice receptacle, an ice cutting mechanism engaging the ice block during each revolution of said receptacle, a clutch mechanism operated by said conveyer, and means for rotating said receptacle.

5. In an ice scoring machine, an ice receptacle, a cam-operated rocker arm carry ing a cutter, and means for operating said -1eceptacle and engaging said rocker arm through said cam.

6. In an ice scoring machine, an ice receptacle, a cam-operated rocker arm carrying a cutter, means in said cam allowing said cutter to engage more deeply along the middle sides of said ice block, and means for operating said rocker arm through said cams.

7. In an ice scoring machine, an ice receptacle operating in single consecutive revolutions, a clutch mechanism, and a travelling dog releasing said clutch mechanism following the delivery of the ice block into said receptacle and timing the interval for cutting.

8. In an ice scoring mechanism, an ice block slideway, a propelling mechanism operating in said slideway, an ice cage mounted in a frame and rotatable therein and having ingress and egress openings in alignment with said slide, a clutch mechanism for holding said cage from rotation during feed operations and released by said propelling mechanism, a scoring mechanism having a cutter engaging the ice block at each revolution of said cage, and means for rotating said cage and driving said cutter.

9. In an ice scoring mechanism, an ice block slideWay, a propelling mechanism formed of an endless chain having a dog projecting therefrom andmounted 0n driven sprockets and operating in said slideway, an ice cage mounted in a frame and rotatable therein and having ingress and egress openings in alignment with said slide, a clutch mechanism for holding said cage from rotation during feed operations and released by said propelling mechanism, a scoring mechanism having a cutter engaging the ice block at each revolution of said ca e, and means for rotating said cage and driving said cutter.

10. In an ice scoring mechanism, an ice block slideway, a propelling mechanism operating in said slideway, an ice cage mounted in a driven gear mechanism supported in a frame and rotatable therein and having ingress and egress openings in alignment With said slide, a clutch mechanism for holding said cage from rotation during feed operations and released by said propelling mechanism, a scoring mechanism having a cutter engaging the ice block at each revolution of said cage, and means for rotating said cage and driving said cutter.

11. In an ice scoring machine, a conveyer adapted forpropelling a cake of ice, a pair of mandrels adjustable With respect to the vertical and positioned adjacent said conveyer, scoring saws mounted on said mandrels and slidable thereon, means for actuating said saws, and springs under said saws operating to yieldingly resist a slidable movement downwardly of said saws.

12. In an ice scoring machine, the combination of means for receiving a cake of ice and rotating same around one of its axes, means for scoring the cake at right angles to said axis, means for conveying said cake to and into said receiving means,the axis of said conveying means being parallel With the axis of said cake around which same is rotated, and means for scoring said cake before being received by saidfirst-ymentioned means. V

Signed at the city of Toronto, this 18th day of January, 1928.

FRANCIS CAMERON WESTMAN. 

